Movie Reviews - Enola Holmes

Director: Harry Bradbeer

Genre: Drama/ Crime/ Adventure

Runtime: 123 minutes

Year: 2020

Starring: Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Sam Claflin, Helena Bonham Carter, Louis Partridge

Description: When Enola Holmes (Millie Bobby Brown), Sherlock’s (Henry Cavill) teen sister, discovers her mother (Helena Bonham Carter) missing, she sets off to find her, becoming a super-sleuth in her own right as she outwits her famous brother and unravels a dangerous conspiracy around a mysterious young lord (Louis Partridge)

Review: Forget Sherlock Holmes and meet Enola, the teenage sister of the world’s most famous detective. Equally resourceful and quirky, but spicier and more rebellious then her big brother. In “Enola Holmes”, the young detective takes matters into her own hands to track down her missing mother. For this she travels through Victorian England, a time when many people didn’t care much for types like Enola who went against traditional customs. Because, change is so difficult. Fortunately, director Harry Bradbeer and “Enola Holmes” provide the ultimate proof that a new interpretation o the familiar can a welcome relief.

In this revisionist twist on the classic detective stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock and Mycroft are pushed to the sidelines and take the lead in tracking down their mother after she is nowhere to be found. But before Enola can start her search, she has to get rid of her brothers. They want to send her to a boarding school to become a real lady, but Enola doesn’t feel like it.

“Enola Holmes” is set in Victorian England, where a battle for great reforms was going in, but women were still hoisted into tight corsets against their will. But Enola decides to chose her own path, instead of others doing it for her.

Enola leaves for London, the height of civilization. Her mother left some clues. On the train, her path crosses with that of Lord Tewksbury, a young marquis who is the target of a murder conspiracy. The two soon develop a bond.

Millie Bobby Brown manages to bring the young heroine from Nancy Springer’s books to life in an energetic and charming way. Enola frequently breaks the fourth wall for a chat with the audience and this was a fun touch. Brown’s witty and comical comments provide the film with a fine playful atmosphere that distinguishes it from the stories about her stoic brother.

The detective work of Sherlock’s female counterpart is less strong and intriguing and not typical Holmes-like as that of her big brother. Enola is more busy deciphering her mothers encrypted messages than solving larger puzzles. As a result, the mysteries to be unraveled never really become very exciting or compelling. Fortunately, the great action scenes make up for this and the great casting of Milly Bobby Brown and Henry Cavill as Sherlock Holmes is also a plus. I just can’t get over the fact how handsome Cavill is in this film and somehow also kind of perfect for the role of Sherlock Holmes.  

“Enola Holmes” is a fun contemporary interpretation of a genre previously dominated by men. It’s a highly enjoyable film and definitely a fun adventure. Hopefully more will follow.

Rating: 3,5 / 5